this afternoon. Why don’t you go home and sleep?” I offered, though he didn’t turn around at the sound of my voice. “Dad?” I called again before stepping around a display of wax. “Dad?”
“Huh?” Dad asked while turning around. The corner of his mouth hooked into a small smile, and he ran his hand through his hair before responding. “Sorry, kiddo. I haven’t been sleeping much. I’ve been trying to revamp the shop, and I’m working extra hours.”
I ducked my head. “I’m sorry. I can start working my shifts again. I’m here to help.”
Dad put down a dolphin figurine and walked over to me. “Are you okay? I haven’t really had a chance to talk to you. I don’t even know what to say. I’ll admit, I’m struggling with Violet’s death, too. This island is supposed to be safe, you know? Have the police had any leads?” Dad rubbed the back of his neck. “I-I just don’t like the idea of a killer being out there. I worry about you.”
This was exactly the kind of conversation I wanted to avoid, but I felt bad for Dad. “Yeah. I guess they found out Violet was pregnant,” I admitted.
“I know. They’re looking into it. Maybe the father did it? I don’t know. I’m still processing it all.”
“Looking into it? Wasn’t she dating that guy? Kai?”
I pulled at the edge of my shirt. “She was. But we aren’t sure the baby was his. The police are running a DNA test. We should know within the next six weeks. It’s just crazy. I thought I knew everything about Violet. And this? I mean, did you ever see guys hanging out around the surf shop during Violet’s shift?”
Dad stroked his chin pensively. “No. I don’t think so. I mean, guys were always flirting with her. The shop was always full for her shifts,” Dad replied sadly.
I gave him a small smile. “The shop will be full again soon.”
Dad looked around and frowned. “I hope so. You know I don’t like bringing up my financial troubles to you, but the Surf Shack has really hurt us. We need to get more traffic, or I don’t know what will happen.”
Guilt hit me like a punch to the gut. Dad had been dealing with the stress of the shop for the last few weeks. “I’ll help, Dad. We got this. Maybe we can brainstorm for some new ways to bring in traffic. I can learn the art of sign spinning or something.”
He chuckled. “You’re the clumsiest person I know. There is no way you can spin a sign. But you know what? I think I’ll take that nap you suggested. You think you can hold down the fort for a bit?”
“Absolutely. Get some rest, old man.”
Dad walked around to the register and grabbed his keys from the drawer in the counter; he never kept anything in the office like he should. He gave me a quick hug and headed for the door. He must not have been paying attention because he almost ran headfirst into the tall, lean man wearing all black that entered the store the same time he was trying to leave it.
“Well, hi there, Brian, how are you on this fine day?” Lex Lewis asked my dad. My bones chilled. Holy shit, Lex was here. “Where are you off to in such a rush?” Dad lowered his voice and muttered something back to Lex, but I couldn’t hear what he said. How the hell did Lex Lewis know my father, and what the fuck was he doing here?
Dad’s face turned red, and he turned back to look at me. Lex spoke up. “Have a good day, Brian. Looks like you were just leaving. Don’t let me stop you.” I don’t know how Lex managed to make it sound like a threat, but I could hear the malice in his voice. I felt a chill travel up my spine at the sight of him. I almost begged my dad not to leave, but he brushed past Lex.
“Yeah. See you later, Breeze. I’ve got the security cameras on if you need anything,” he mumbled uncharacteristically before leaving the surf shop.
I dug my nails into my palm while staring at Lex. I ached to reach for my cell phone and call Kai. Lex started to look around the small shop. He picked up a globe that held sand instead of snow and shook it so that the tiny people on the